CHARLIE MAY SS13...
During London Fashion Week one of the shows I was most looking forward to was Charlie Mays. This was the first season that Charlie put on a catwalk show and I was so excited to see her collection saunter down the runway. On the day I got to shoot some of the action backstage before the show. Everything was so organized and well run. You wouldn't at all expect that this was just Charlie's third season showing.
The SS13 collection is absolutely stunning. The first look that came down the catwalk was a top and trouser velvet combo in a shade of icy blue. It was my favourite look from the entire collection and I can just imagine myself wearing it now (perfection). There's also a nude coloured biker jacket, asymmetric shorts and classic white silk shirts that would be incredibly useful in anyone's wardrobe. Charlie's collections just keep getting better and better each season as she hones in what her design aesthetic is. I already can't wait to see what see what's in store for next season.
FYODOR GOLAN SS13...
It's day 1 of London Fashion Week. Hurrah! I can't believe this time of year has crept around again already. First thing this morning I headed over to the Waldorf hotel to shoot backstage at Fyodor Golan. Last season it was one of my favourite shows so I was super excited to see what the design duo had planned. The styling and makeup was incredible. Each model had a tribal looking tattoo on her chin and many walked with larger-than-life transparent hats. It definitely gave the impression that some sort of glamorous alien race had invaded central London.
For more photos, including pictures from the show, hop over to Facebook.
Massive thank you to Susie and Rob at TRACE Publicity for having me backstage and at the show.
MR CRUSADER - FOR THE MEN IN OUR LIVES...
I'm really into menswear lately. Which is why I've decided to start a section of this blog devoted to the boys in our lives. Welcome to Mr Crusader. Lately, all I've wanted to do is reach into my husband's wardrobe and wear his clothes - his jumpers and T-shirts are always my favorite.
Photos taken during menswear day at London Fashion Week last February.
p.s. I'm bookmarking the turtle neck as a must-have basic for the fall... just so you know.
INBAR SPECTOR
London will always be my favorite place to attend fashion week. Not because it's the fanciest or the most perfectly managed, but because it gives new designers the opportunity to showcase their work alongside the already established greats. I couldn't help but feel that I was witnessing something magical at this show.
Most people cringe at the thought of going backstage before a show.
The atmosphere tends to be incredibly stressful - space is precious and people are on edge. Every person adds to the madness and there are already so many people (make up, hair, stylists, PRs, models, designers, photographers, assistants) that any extras run the risk of tipping the whole operation into chaos. Oh, the fear of accidentally bumping into someone's arm as they apply mascara.
When I showed up at Freemason's Hall to shoot backstage at the Inbar Spector show the atmosphere was completely different. Everything seemed to be perfectly organized. No one was yelling or pushing and people knew exactly what they needed to do - the dramatics were entirely removed from the operation. Inbar even had time to plop down and get her hair done. Fingers crossed that next season there's time for me to have mine done too...
It wasn't until the models started getting dressed that I realized just how amazing the show was going to be. Sure, you can tell that an outfit is awesome just from seeing it on a rail but it doesn't really come to life until you see it on someone.
It was the Lara Jensen face jewelry that made me really excited. There was such a buzz and secrecy about it backstage that when I finally slipped out to take my seat I just about exploded onto the person next to me with giddy joy. 'It's going to be so good.' - was all I managed to say.
London will always be my favorite place to attend fashion week. Not because it's the fanciest or the most perfectly managed, but because it gives new designers the opportunity to showcase their work alongside the already established greats. I couldn't help but feel that I was witnessing something magical at this show... especially with being backstage beforehand. Inbar is clearly destined for great things and her autumn/winter 12 collection is just the start. I recently discovered that her previous collections are available to buy online. The metal tattoo dresses start at £350 and, while I realize this isn't pocket change, it isn't completely outside the realm of possibility either. They might not be the sort of pieces you'd wear everyday but they would look amazing for a special occasion or any occasion where you want to knock-the-socks off of everyone that sees you.
While I’m all for fashion that people can afford, there is something wonderfully alluring about investing in clothes that double as art.
Massive thank you to Susie at Trace for inviting me backstage and to the show.
Maria Grachvogel ss12
Backstage at the Maria Grachvogel ss12 show... model's were turned into sci-fi looking creatures with slicked back hair and sweeps of painterly green eyeshadow. I loved the zigzag parts created by Kenna and the ghd team - they made it look as if a lighting bolt had zapped down the middle of each model's head.
I loved the simple dress shapes and crisp colour palette of white, green, pink, and nude. The draping was gorgeous and flattering with billowing dramatic sleeves. Wishing that I lived the sort of exotic life where I can wear a white deep v-neck dress like the one below everyday...
Thank you ghd for inviting me backstage and to the show.
Please note: just a friendly reminder that, unless otherwise stated, all photos featured on this blog are my own. If you use them please credit accordingly. Thank you! x
Backstage: KTZ
Backstage at KTZ on menswear day it was all bold stripes, bright colours and baubles but worn with quite minimal makeup. The show was something from an entirely surreal world with graphic printed balaclavas pulled down over faces, oversized Wonka infused circular bracelets, latex galore, and a touch of '80s tribal multi-coloured print thrown in for good measure. The collection showed a mesmerizing transformation of character. If you haven't seen images of the KTZ AW11 collection yet be sure to check it out. It's utterly wild when seen worn all together but the pieces are totally mesmerizing and have got me wanting to ditch my fluorescent brights for a range of primary colours.
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Backstage: Aminaka Wilmont
Models at the Aminaka Wilmont show yesterday wore yellow contact lenses and had elaborate designs braided into their hair. After the show, when I had the chance to interview Marcus Wilmont I asked him how much input him and Maki have on the entire production. Do designers have the time to dictate hair and makeup or are they more focused on the individual pieces? He said they were both deeply involved in all the elements that went into the show and knew just how they wanted to use the overall appearance of the models to emphasize the theme of the collection. Their 7th season has been named Totem and is influenced by the concept of creating a new tribe. Totem poles, primitive religions, and animals are all expressed through the range of bold prints, soft knits, and painfully covetable leather items. Personally, I loved the darker vibe and thought the model's complete intensity in appearance only worked to further the durability of the collection.
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Thank you Mercedes for inviting me backstage, I had such a blast. Also, big thank you to Marcus for taking the time to chat to me. I hope you managed to have that calm dinner with your brothers last night!
View the entire Autumn Winter 2011 Aminaka Wilmont Collection here.